The Chief Constable's right hand man has taken charge of Oxford police's CID unit.

Det Insp Andy Bird, 39, is taking over from Acting DI Dermot Norridge, who retires from Thames Valley Police next month.

Det Insp Bird, who has been with TVP since 1986, has served both Peter Neyroud and Sir Charles Pollard as Chief Constable's staff officer, a role he took up in 2001.

He said: "When I first joined, sergeant seemed daunting enough, but here I am as an inspector.

"I am incredibly proud to be working with Oxford CID, which has a fantastic reputation throughout the force, both for its investigative skills and its professionalism.

"I enjoyed my time at HQ very much, but nothing matches operational policing and serving a community.

"I have a tough man to follow after Dermot, who is a

respected and extremely skilled detective, but I'm already enjoying the role and its challenges.

"I hope I can continue to make a difference to the community."

He has worked on many high-profile inquiries.

These included the murder of seven-year-old Mark Tildesley, who disappeared in 1984, for which paedophile Leslie Bailey was convicted, and the Rhonda Kay death in Newbury in 1992, for which her husband Nicholas Kay is now serving six years for manslaughter.

After studying at Oxford Polytechnic, Det Insp Bird joined the force as a probationer, working the beat as a foot and car patrol officer in Reading.

Ch Supt David McWhirter said: "Andy is an asset to the police area and we're pleased to have him. He's an extremely skilled officer and CID will benefit from his knowledge and experience."